The veteran coach will be no stranger to coaching in the San Antonio area. He previously coached the San Antonio Riders (1991-92), a former World League franchise under general manager Tom Landry, former head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. Jason Garrett was his quarterback, current head coach of the Cowboys.

“This was the only place I wanted to be, it's always going to be a home for us,” he said. “We were supposed to play our (Riders) first game in the Alamodome after the 1992 season but the league was suspended, so I’ve been waiting for that one for a while.”

The suspension ultimately resulted in the abandonment of all the North American teams following the 1992 campaign. The team was admitted to the CFL (Canadian Football League) the following season (1993) but folded abruptly prior to it's start.

San Antonio and Riley will hope and aim for long-term success this time around.

"I think it's time for the city to get a team and the window for spring football is great for across America and I think fans will embrace it," Riley said. "If it's done correctly and put in a good position to do well, which is what's happening with the alliance, than this will be a lot of fun."

Johnston, 52, steps into the general manager role after being a TV analyst since 2003, most notably working as a color commentator alongside Kenny Albert for NFL games on Fox. He played as a fullback for the Dallas Cowboys for 10 years (1989-1999), winning three Super Bowls.

“I am very grateful for the opportunity to venture into a different arena of the game,” Johnston said. “I know the passion this city has for the game of football and I’m excited to get started.”

Oregon State head coach Mike Riley waves to players to commence a walk-through practice at the Alamodome for their game against the University of Texas in the Valero AlamoBowl on Friday, Dec. 28, 2012.

Oregon State head coach Mike Riley waves to players to commence a walk-through practice at the Alamodome for their game against the University of Texas in the Valero AlamoBowl on Friday, Dec. 28, 2012.

Photo: Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News

Photo: Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News

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Oregon State head coach Mike Riley waves to players to commence a walk-through practice at the Alamodome for their game against the University of Texas in the Valero AlamoBowl on Friday, Dec. 28, 2012.

Oregon State head coach Mike Riley waves to players to commence a walk-through practice at the Alamodome for their game against the University of Texas in the Valero AlamoBowl on Friday, Dec. 28, 2012.

Photo: Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News

Mike Riley, Daryl Johnston named head coach, GM of new S.A. football team

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San Antonio became the eighth and final city named to the AAF on Wednesday.

Other cities with teams include Atlanta, Birmingham, Memphis, Orlando, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, and San Diego.

Set for its inaugural season in 2019, the AAF was formed by Charlie Ebersol, who directed a documentary on the XFL that aired last year as part of ESPN’s 30 for 30 series. The AAF carries 450 years of football experience across coaching, playing, and managing.

The season will run 10 weeks starting on Feb. 9 and will carry 50-man teams.

“Everything I have in life I owe to the game of football,” Johnston said. “To have the opportunity to be a small part of helping a young man get another shot of getting back in the NFL is very important to me.”

Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward will lead player relations with the team and says San Antonio deserves another opportunity at a pro team.

“It’s a blessing to bring football to the city of San Antonio again, I think the city has been waiting for this for a while” he said. “Coach Mike Riley and Daryl Johnston are great football minds that will help lead this team and the city in the right direction.”

Riley will be joining an elite group of coaches, who combined have won over 160 games in the NFL and around 500 in college, including three national championships (Dennis Erickson 2, Steve Spurrier 1).

Here is a list of all eight head coaches for each franchise:

Alliance Orlando - Steve Spurrier

Alliance Atlanta - Brad Childress

Alliance Memphis - Mike Singletary

Alliance Salt Lake - Dennis Erickson

Alliance Phoenix - Rick Neuheisel

Alliance San Diego - Mike Martz

Alliance Birmingham - Tim Lewis

Alliance San Antonio - Mike Riley

“We want to win a championship and put a great product on the field for the fans of San Antonio,” Riley said. “I think the administrative staff are great people, many are former NFL general managers and former NFL coaches with lots of experience and lots of success.”

Players for the team are expected to be picked up in August with a focus on picking up local talent to interest fans.

“We are going to tell ourselves ‘how do we get a connection with San Antonio to the team?’,” Ward said. “The plan is to get local guys who played college ball in the state of Texas and guys who are from the area and played close to San Antonio.”